Harper says recession is no time for an election

[Spazito]

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says a recession is no time to trigger an election, as political instability could undermine any potential economic recovery.

Harper added that the government's number one priority is to take care of the economy, which he said is still fragile after months of job losses.

snip

Tensions between the two parties over Employment Insurance reform threatened to send Canadians back to the polls for a summer election, but a compromise was worked out just as Parliament broke for the summer.

There has been speculation that the Conservatives will endeavor to hold off any Liberal attacks until the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, where the government will likely benefit from positive publicity.

more

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090730/pm_announcement_090730/20090730?hub=Politics

Short version (mine) of the above: Harper's poll numbers are sucking ergo no need for an election.

[CHIMO]

1. It Couldn't Be Money?

Liberals quadruple fundraising totals

The Ignatieff Liberals have raised $3.9-million in the second quarter for this year, four times the amount raised last year at this time when Stéphane Dion was leader.

The party posted its results on Twitter Wednesday evening with an update that read, in part: “Exclusive 2nd Quarter Fundraising numbers are in: $3.9M More than 4 times last year's.”

Last year, in an election year, the party raised a total of $5.8-million. So far this year, the Grits under Leader Michael Ignatieff have raised $5.7-million.

It is not known yet what Stephen Harper's Tories have raised for this period, but last year they attracted $3.5-million in the second quarter. Liberal Party spokesman Daniel Lauzon said the results are “cause for optimism” as the Grits have had trouble raising funds.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/liberals-quadruple-fundraising-totals/article1235456/

[Spazito]

2. I don't think it's money...

I really do think it's numbers, poll numbers. I haven't seen one in a while but the last one I saw had the Cons and the Libs neck and neck. I did, however, hear that a poll done quite recently, maybe the last couple of weeks, and the results were that Canadians DO NOT want another minority government because it is seen as a do nothing government.

I certainly won't hold my breath about the probability of a fall election, been there done that too many times and zip happens, lol.

Edited to add poll info and link re poll on minority government:

The Canadian Press Harris-Decima survey showed 64 per cent of respondents prefer a majority over a minority government, up from 52 per cent two years ago.

Only 24 per cent said they preferred a minority, as compared to 36 per cent in 2007.

snip

In another question, the pollsters gave respondents four different scenarios to ponder: A Liberal majority or minority, or a Conservative majority or minority.

The Liberals came out on top in both respects - with 30 per cent preferring a Liberal majority, and 14 per cent a Liberal minority, as compared to the 24 per cent who backed a Conservative majority and nine per cent who wanted a Conservative minority.

more


http://www.canadaeast.com/news/article/726441

[daleo]

3. The reasoning is absurd

Democracy isn't just for happy days. It is at times of crisis that democracy is most important.